Nakshatra

Nakshatra (Sanskrit: नक्षत्रम्, romanized: Nakṣatram) is the term for Lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Buddhist astrology. A nakshatra is one of the 27 (or sometimes 28) parts along the path the Sun follows in the sky. Each nakshatra is named after a bright star or group of stars nearby.

Every nakshatra is split into four padas (meaning "steps"). The starting nakshatra in ancient times was "Krittika", but newer lists begin at the point opposite the star Spica, called Chitrā in Sanskrit. This system connects closely to the Moon's movement and the stars.

The first astronomical book to list the nakshatras is the Vedanga Jyotisha. In important Hindu stories like the Mahabharata and Harivamsa, the nakshatras are described as daughters of Daksha and wives of Chandra, the Moon god.

Nakshatra is one of the five parts of a Pañcāṅga, along with Tithi, Nityayoga, Karana, and Vāra. These parts help decide special dates and times in traditional Hindu calendars.

In the Atharvaveda

The Atharvaveda talks about 27 important stars or groups of stars. Many of these are the same nakshatras we use today. Some of these stars are very well-known, like the Pleiades, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Castor, Pollux, Regulus, Denebola, Spica, and Arcturus.

These stars help make a 27-day cycle. They show how the Moon moves past different groups of stars. You can think of it like numbers on a clock, with the Moon moving past each "number" over time.

List of Nakshatras

In Hindu astronomy, there are 28 Nakshatras, which are special star patterns used as markers in the sky. These were later simplified into 27 equal parts of the sky, each covering 13° 20′. The Nakshatra called Abhijit was left out in this newer system, though it still helps decide good times for events.

Originally, these 28 Nakshatras were not all the same size. They were based on a calendar that had exactly 30 days in each month, with the Moon moving about 13 degrees each day. This old way of counting time was very careful and matched the Moon's path closely, even though it looks a bit different from how we measure time today.

No.	Name	Associated stars	Description	Image
1	Aśvinī "The Horsemen"	β and γ Arietis	Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Horse's head Deity: Ashvins, the horse-headed twins who are physicians to the gods Indian zodiac: 0° – 13°20′ Aries Tropical zodiac: 26° Aries – 9°20′ Taurus
2	Bharaṇī "The Bearer"	35, 39, and 41 Arietis	Astrological leader: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction Deity: Yama, god of death and Dharma Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Aries Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Taurus
3	Kṛttikā "To Cut"	Pleiades	Astrological leader: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Knife or spear Deity: Agni, god of fire Indian zodiac: 26°40′ Aries – 10° Taurus Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Taurus – 6° Gemini
4	Rohiṇi "Radiant Maiden"	Aldebaran	Astrological leader: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Cart or chariot, temple, banyan tree Deity: Prajapati, rigvedic form of Brahma - the Creator Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Taurus Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19°20′ Gemini
5	Mṛgaśiras "The Deer's Head"	λ, φ Orionis	Astrological leader: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Deer's head Deity: Soma, the moon god Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Taurus – 6° 40′ Gemini Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Gemini – 2° 40′ Cancer
6	Ārdrā "The Moist One"	Betelgeuse	Astrological leader: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head Deity: Rudra, rigvedic fierce form of Shiva Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Gemini Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Cancer
7	Punarvasu "Return Of The Light"	Castor and Pollux	Astrological leader: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol : Bow and quiver Deity: Aditi, goddess representing the infinity and the mother of Adityas Indian zodiac: 20° Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29°20′ Cancer
8	Puṣya "The Nourisher"	γ, δ and θ Cancri	Astrological leader: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Cow's udder, lotus, arrow and circle Deity: Bṛhaspati, counsellor of the gods Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Cancer Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Cancer – 12° 40′ Leo
9	Āśleṣā "The Embrace"	δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae	Astrological leader: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: Serpent Deity: Nagas, divine race of half-human, half-serpent beings that reside in the Patala Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Cancer Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Leo
10	Maghā "The Mighty"	Regulus	Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Royal Throne Deity: Pitrs, 'The Fathers', family ancestors Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Leo Tropical zodiac: 26° Leo – 9° 20′ Virgo
11	Pūrvaphalgunī "The Former Reddish One"	δ and θ Leonis	Astrological leader: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree Deity: Bhaga, god of marital bliss and prosperity. NOTE: Ancient texts interchange the deities of the Phalguni nakshatras. In some, such as Taittiriya Brahmana, Aryaman rules Purva Phalgunī. Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Leo Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22°40′ Virgo
12	Uttaraphalgunī "The Latter Reddish One"	Denebola	Astrological leader: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock Deity: Aryaman, god of patronage and favours. NOTE: Ancient texts interchange the deities of the Phalguni nakshatras. In some, such as Taittiriya Brahmana, Bhaga rules Uttara Phalgunī. Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Leo - 10° Virgo Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Virgo – 6° Libra
13	Hasta "The Hand"	α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi	Astrological leader: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Hand or fist Deity: Savitr, the sun god Indian zodiac: 10° – 23° 20′ Virgo Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19° 20′ Libra
14	Citrā "The Bright One"	Spica	Astrological leader: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl Deity: Tvastar/Vishwakarma, artisan god Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Virgo – 6° 40′ Libra Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Libra – 2° 40′ Scorpio
15	Svātī "The Independent One"	Arcturus	Astrological leader: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral Deity: Vayu, the wind god Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Libra Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Scorpio
16	Viśākhā "Branching Out"	α, β, γ and ι Librae	Astrological leader: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol: Triumphal arch, potter's wheel Deity: Indra, king of the devas and god of thunder, storms, and lightning, and Agni, god of Fire - representing the duality of water and fire Indian zodiac: 20° Libra – 3° 20′ Scorpio Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Scorpio
17	Anurādhā "Following Radha"	β, δ and π Scorpionis	Astrological leader: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Triumphal archway, lotus, bamboo Deity: Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Scorpio Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Scorpio – 12° 40′ Sagittarius
18	Jyeṣṭhā "The Eldest"	α, σ, and τ Scorpionis	Astrological leader: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: circular amulet, umbrella, earring Deity: Indra, king of the devas Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Scorpio Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Sagittarius
19	Mūla "The Root"	ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis	Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad Deity: Nirrti, goddess personifying death, decay, sorrow, as well as the peak of material achievement and the beginning of the spiritual impulse Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Sagittarius Tropical zodiac: 26° Sagittarius – 9° 20′ Capricorn
20	Pūrvāṣāḍha "The Former Unconquered"	δ and ε Sagittarii	Astrological leader: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket Deity: Apah, god of Water Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26° 40′ Sagittarius Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Capricorn
21	Uttarāṣāḍha "The Latter Unconquered"	ζ and σ Sagittarii	Astrological leader: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Elephant tusk, small bed Deity: Visvedevas, the most comprehensive gathering of the gods, a classification in which no deity is stated to be omitted Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Sagittarius– 10° Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Capricorn – 6° Aquarius
*	Abhijit "The Invincible"	ζ and σ Lyrae	Astrological leader and Deity: Brahma Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 10° 53′ Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 6° 53′ Aquarius
22	Śravaṇa "To Hear"	α, β and γ Aquilae	Astrological leader: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Ear or Three Footprints Deity: Vishnu, preserver of universe Indian zodiac: 10° – 23° 20′ Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19° 20′ Aquarius
23	Dhaniṣṭhā "Wealthiest"	α, β, γ and δ Delphini	Astrological leader: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Drum or flute Deity: Vasus, group of eight deities associated with fire and light signifying earthly abundance Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Capricorn – 6° 40′ Aquarius Tropical zodiac 19° 20′ Aquarius – 2° 40′ Pisces
24	Śatabhiṣaj "A Hundred Physicians"	λ Aquarii	Astrological leader: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars Deity: Varuna, god of celestial waters Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Aquarius Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Pisces
25	Pūrvabhādrapada "The Former Blessed Feet"	α and β Pegasi	Astrological leader: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol: Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces Deity: Ajaikapada, one-footed aspect of Shiva Indian zodiac: 20° Aquarius – 3° 20′ Pisces Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Pisces
26	Uttarabhādrapada "The Latter Blessed Feet"	γ Pegasi and α Andromedae	Astrological leader: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water Deity: Ahirbudhnya, serpent or dragon of the deep Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Pisces Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Pisces – 12° 40′ Aries
27	Revatī "Prosperous"	ζ Piscium	Astrological leader: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: Fish or a pair of fish, drum Deity: Pushan, nourisher, and the psychopomp deity Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Pisces Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Aries

Padas (quarters)

Each of the 27 Nakshatras covers 13° 20’ of the ecliptic. They are split into four parts, called padas. Each pada is 3° 20’ in size. These padas help choose the first sounds for a child's name. With 27 Nakshatras and 4 padas each, there are 108 parts. This matches the number of beads in a japa mala, which stands for all the elements of Vishnu.